USA - Bayer provides growers with more options with launch of new Ferreira and Novero beef tomatoes by De Ruiter

Date:01-26-2023

Diseases are an ongoing threat to produce growers, but none may be more impactful than tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which transmits easily, decimates crops and is difficult to eradicate. To help growers mitigate their risk, protect their crop’s marketability, and provide new solutions in their fight against the disease, Vegetables by Bayer through De Ruiter® has commercialized two new beef tomatoes with ToBRFV resistance, Ferreira and Novero.

Ferreira and Novero, which have Intermediate Resistance* to ToBRFV, are early-fruiting beef tomato hybrids that feature high yield potentials, a bold red color and suitability for both Fall planting and year-round environments. Ferreira has an average fruit weight of 250-260 grams and Novero has an average fruit weight of 240-250 grams, allowing growers a choice of variety that best suits their needs. With good plant coverage, Ferreira and Novero are widely adaptable across North America and Mexico.

But how do these varieties perform in the real world? Mario Perez, a grower for AMCO Produce, knows firsthand how devastating ToBRFV can be. He trialed each of the new varieties in a contaminated environment and appreciates the potential they bring to his operation.

″Variety resistance, fruit quality, setting and yield are the main factors when growing and selecting the right crop for us growers, and these past years it has been hard to successfully grow tomatoes due to ToBRFV,″ says Perez. ″Ferreira and Novero have shown a very promising future to those of us who are looking for a solution — not just a patch — to ToBRFV resistance in varieties. The plant vigor, fruit quality and plant health were all very good.″ 

For Vegetables by Bayer, being able to help growers like Mario drives team members to keep innovating, providing those growers with some peace of mind knowing they can be a reliable producer for retailers, food service and consumers.

″Greenhouse growers need tomato varieties they can count on — that means having good disease packages without sacrificing strong yields and premium quality of fruits,″ says Stephanie Poletti, Protected Culture Marketing Lead, Vegetables by Bayer. ″At Bayer, we work with growers to identify their biggest challenges — like ToBRFV — and use our strong research and development and breeding program to bring them solutions that work best for them as quickly as possible. Ferreira and Novero are two great examples of that.″

Ferreira and Novero join the other high-performing varieties in the Vegetables by Bayer tomato portfolio, such as Prodice and Albrice. More information is available on the website. Growers can also learn more through De Ruiter’s growing tips or contact their local sales representative.